PGx101 Certificate Program

Pharmacists: Earn a Certificate in Pharmacogenomics
Facilitating the training are Dan Krinsky, BS, MS, RPh and Sue Paul, RPh, PGx101 Co-Founders.
This program enables attendees to learn by using real genetic data in highly interactive exercises.

Earn 20 ACPE accredited continuing education credit hours

The pharmacist who completes the home-study and live components of this Pharmacogenomics Certificate Program should be able to:

• Demonstrate understanding of basic genetic/genomic concepts and nomenclature
• Describe advances in scientific knowledge and technology, which have led to innovations in personalized medicine
• Identify the role of behavioral, social and environmental factors (lifestyle, socioeconomic factors, pollutants, among others) to modify or influence genetics in the manifestation of disease.
• Compare and contrast different PGx study designs.
• Identify drug- and disease-associated genetic variations that facilitate development of prevention and treatment strategies and appreciate there are differences in testing methodologies and are aware of the need to explore these differences in drug literature evaluation
• Assess predisposition to disease and selection of drug treatment by using family history
• Describe the role of genetic factors in maintaining health and preventing disease
• Assess the difference between clinical diagnosis of disease and identification of genetic predisposition to disease (genetic variation is not strictly correlated with disease manifestation)
• Recognize that pharmacogenomic testing may also reveal certain genetic disease predispositions (e.g., the Apo E4 polymorphism)
• Demonstrate an understanding of how genetic variation in a large number of proteins influences pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics related to pharmacologic effect and drug response
• Use online resources to assign haplotypes and predicted drug response phenotypes from genetic data.
• Describe the influence (or lack thereof) of ethnicity in genetic polymorphisms and associations of polymorphisms with drug response
• Recognize the availability of evidence-based guidelines that synthesize information relevant to genomic/pharmacogenomic tests and selection of drug therapy (e.g. Clinical pharmacogenomics implementation consortium)
• Evaluate the availability of genetic testing under FDA, CLIA, and DTC regulations.
• Evaluate PGx test reports through group-based activities and role-playing to demonstrate the PGx knowledge/skill-based competencies
• Create a step-wise decision-making process for the integration of PGx with clinical variables known to impact PK/PD to make appropriate PGx-based recommendations for patients and populations.
• List drugs/clinical situations where PGx testing is likely to be most useful clinically
• Identify the potential physical and/or psychosocial benefits, limitations and risk of genomic/pharmacogenomic information for individuals, family members and communities, especially with genomic/pharmacogenomic tests that may relate to predisposition to disease
• Describe the increased liability that accompanies access to detailed genomic patient information and maintain confidentiality and security
• Define the cost, cost–effectiveness and reimbursement by insurers relevant to genomic or pharmacogenomic tests and test interpretation for patients and populations
• Identify the need to refer a patient to a genetic specialist or genetic counselor
• Describe proper documentation of test results in electronic patient record
• Adopt a culturally sensitive and ethical approach to patient counseling regarding PGx test results
• Demonstrate patient and provider communication about PGx testing and test results and counseling through group-based activities and role-playing
• Evaluate different business models to integrate PGx in various practice sites
• Discuss different strategies to engage with local practitioners to optimize the delivery of PGx services prior to implementation
• Demonstrate proficiency in different types of sample collection practices for PGx testing, review of safety procedures for handling biospecimens and proper mailing

The University of Pittsburgh is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. The home study portion of the program is approved for 12 contact hours and the live training is approved for 8 contact hours of continuing pharmacy education credit. Credit is only awarded for completion of the entire 20 contact hour program. Note that the process must be done within 5 days for the live program. After that, upon request, CE can technically be granted for up to 30 days but is more laborious for the participant and provider. After the 30 day expiration, the CE office is unable to grant CE at all per accreditation rules.

Test2LearnTM Community-based Pharmacogenomics Certificate Program

Activity Type: Practice-based

Target Audience: Pharmacists in all practice settings

About the Continuing Education Provider

In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.